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Bench Warmer
The Portland Trailblazers have verbally agreed in principle to a contract extension with forward LaMarcus Aldridge.
According to the source, the extension is for five years, $65 milliion and will go into effect next season.
If Aldridge achieves certain hard to reach incentives, his contract could ultimately be worth as much as $70 million.
The deal comes after a summer of angst between the Blazers and their two young potential free agents -- Aldridge and Brandon Roy. The Blazers, after some verbal sparring, reached an agreement with Roy on a five-year, $80 million dollar max contract. Aldridge was searching for a similar contract from the Blazers but after several months of negotiation settled on a deal worth roughly $15 million less.
GM Kevin Pritchard drafted both players in the 2006 NBA Draft and they have become the centerpieces of the Blazers' youthful, up-and-coming team.
Teams have until October 31st to reach extension agreements with players taken in the 2006 NBA Draft. To date, only Andrea Bargnani, Aldridge and Roy have received extensions. Several other key players from that draft including Rajon Rondo, Rudy Gay and Tyrus Thomas are still negotiating with their respective teams. If players and teams do not reach an agreement on an extension by the 31st, they will become restricted free agents in the summer of 2010.
According to the source, the extension is for five years, $65 milliion and will go into effect next season.
If Aldridge achieves certain hard to reach incentives, his contract could ultimately be worth as much as $70 million.
The deal comes after a summer of angst between the Blazers and their two young potential free agents -- Aldridge and Brandon Roy. The Blazers, after some verbal sparring, reached an agreement with Roy on a five-year, $80 million dollar max contract. Aldridge was searching for a similar contract from the Blazers but after several months of negotiation settled on a deal worth roughly $15 million less.
GM Kevin Pritchard drafted both players in the 2006 NBA Draft and they have become the centerpieces of the Blazers' youthful, up-and-coming team.
Teams have until October 31st to reach extension agreements with players taken in the 2006 NBA Draft. To date, only Andrea Bargnani, Aldridge and Roy have received extensions. Several other key players from that draft including Rajon Rondo, Rudy Gay and Tyrus Thomas are still negotiating with their respective teams. If players and teams do not reach an agreement on an extension by the 31st, they will become restricted free agents in the summer of 2010.
